Toronto (2-0) at San Antonio (2-0)
When: Monday, October 23rd 2017
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Time: 8:35 ET | TV: NBA TV
Opening Odds: San Antonio -2/205
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The Toronto Raptors embark on a six-game road trip and it will start with a tough battle against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at AT&T Center. The Spurs played the first two games of the young season without former Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard but still had little trouble shutting down the opposition. San Antonio is hoping power forward LaMarcus Aldridge will continue to shine in Leonard’s absence as he’s done so far. Aldridge has averaged 26.5 points and 10 rebounds in the first two games while totaling four blocked shots. He helped hold the Minnesota Timberwolves to 43.5% from the floor in a win in the season opener and the Spurs improved on that number Saturday, when they held the Chicago Bulls to 37.8% from the field in an 87-77 victory. The Spurs will be tested a little more against the Raptors, who exploded out of the gates with an average of 122.5 points in the first two games, capped by a 128-94 blowout of the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. San Antonio took both meetings last season and three straight in the series.
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Toronto could be without starting center Jonas Valanciunas as they begin their road trip. Valanciunas suffered a sprained ankle against the 76ers after going off for 23 points and 15 rebounds in the season opener. He will travel with the team but is not expected to play on Monday. Picking up the offensive slack in Valanciunas’ absence was All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan, who recovered from a poor season debut (11 points on 2-of-9 shooting) by going for 30 points on 8-of-12 from the floor on Saturday.
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Leonard’s potential return is still up in the air, but Aldridge could be getting some help soon from Tony Parker. The veteran point guard, who suffered a torn left quadriceps tendon during the playoffs last spring and underwent surgery, is already running and practicing with the team. Helping out with the offensive scoring is veteran forward Rudy Gay, who is averaging 13 points in his first two games with the Spurs. San Antonio will begin a four-game East Coast trip on Wednesday in Miami.
The Spurs will start feeling the absence of Leonard soon, but not tonight. The Raptors struggle when they run into a solid defensive team and that will continue on Monday. The Spurs will generate enough offense to put Toronto away in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Spurs -3
- Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
- Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.
- Raptors are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Raptors are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Spurs are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 Monday games.
- Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 vs. NBA Southwest.
- Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 4-1 in Raptors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 9-3 in Raptors last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 17-6 in Raptors last 23 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 19-7 in Raptors last 26 road games.
- Over is 10-4 in Raptors last 14 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Over is 38-18-1 in Raptors last 57 Monday games.
- Over is 29-14-1 in Raptors last 44 vs. Western Conference.
- Over is 7-0 in Spurs last 7 home games.
- Over is 9-1 in Spurs last 10 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 12-2 in Spurs last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 14-3 in Spurs last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Spurs last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Over is 4-1 in Spurs last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Over is 17-5 in Spurs last 22 overall.
- Over is 5-2-1 in Spurs last 8 Monday games.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
- Raptors are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in San Antonio.
